Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Although this has the same title as the song by Hugo (and others, but I like his version best) this story is in no way related to the song.

Portia
Bledsoe is new in town. She inherited a house and property from a
great-uncle she barely knew. She meets Wood Cirocco through her
friendly neighbor, Carl—he's Carl's nephew. They immediately hit it
off. Strange things start to happen shortly after they meet. For one
thing, someone sets fire to her abandoned chicken coop. Scared silly,
she asks Wood to spend the night—on the couch. She barely knows him
and doesn't feel right taking him to bed yet.

Someone
tapped on my bedroom door. Groaning, I glanced at the clock. It was
almost 9:00.

“Yeah?”

“Coffee,”
Wood sounded cheerful.

“Be
right there.”

I
went to the bathroom and stared at myself in the mirror. I looked
ghastly. A cold washcloth helped, as did brushing my hair. I threw on
a T-shirt and yoga pants, foregoing a bra because I simply didn't
feel like putting one on. If I hadn't known better, I'd have thought
I was hung over. The aspirin were still by the bed, so I swallowed a
couple with a handful of water from the tap.

The
coffee smelled delicious. I also detected the distinct aroma of baked
goods. When I got to the kitchen, I found that Wood had baked
muffins. He set a mug in front of me, perfectly doctored, as well as
two muffins, slathered with butter.

“I
had no idea I had ingredients for muffins,” I said, taking a bite.

“Everything
but the blueberries, but Carl has them in his freezer. I helped
myself.”

“You're
one of those perky morning types, aren't you?”

“Yes,
grumble pussy, I am.”

I
groaned, holding the coffee mug to my forehead.

“Mornings
are what you make of them,” he continued.

“I
want to make them go away. Is that possible?”

“You
have to make it fun. Find something to smile about.”

I
sipped the coffee and took another bite of muffin, and managed a
vague impression of a smile. Wood leaned over, giving me a quick
kiss. I smiled more, sighing contentedly.

“See?
Morning isn't so bad after all.”

“Not
with you in it,” I replied without thinking.

Instead
of getting upset, he grinned, winking. “Trust me, there are better
uses for morning, but I'll try to be a gentleman.”

I
groaned again, not in a good way.

“Not
a fan of morning sex?” he raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Seriously?
I can barely see straight. I do not feel sexy in the morning.”

“Haven't
woken up with the right man,” he suggested casually as he walked
away.

I
had to admit, he was probably right. Mornings were often when Cory
chose to go off on me. He loved to argue and he picked at everything
I did. The coffee was too strong, or too weak. The eggs weren't done
right, the milk was curdled.

“He
was such a dick,” I grumbled. “He made mornings extra special by
pitching tantrums.”

Wood
sat across from me, arms crossed on the table, his chin on his
wrists. He looked up at me like a puppy dog. “I'll make you a
deal,” he said, chin bobbing on his hands.

“What?”
I leaned over, resting my chin on my hands.

“I
won't talk about my bitch of an ex if you'll quit bringing up Cory.
Every time you mention him, I have this urge to kick him in the
nuts.”

“That
makes two of us.”

“I'm
not him, Portia. I'm not like him and I won't break your heart.”

“It
wasn't the breaking as much as the ripping out of my chest part. And
the trampling it part. But you're right. Creepy Cory needs to be
thrown out with the garbage.”

“Agreed.”

“Maybe
we should introduce him to your ex.”

“I
don't think the world would survive if the Bride of Frankenstein met
the Anti-Christ, do you?”

I
laughed loudly, tossing my hair. “Probably not.”

“What's
on your social calendar for today?”

“Besides
breakfast with a handsome, sexy man? Nothing.”

His
eyes twinkled. “Good. My crew is coming over to clear out some of
the undergrowth in the south acre. Also, my plumber and electrician
will be by. I was looking at the wiring earlier. I tripped a fuse
when I turned on the coffee pot.”

“Oh,
yeah, you can't use it and the oven at the same time.”

“Which
shouldn't happen. That was one of the things that Ambrose hired us
for. It may take a few days. She's going to have to replace
everything.”

“Well,
crap. Where am I gonna go? I can't stay here with no power.”

“You
can camp out with Carl,” he suggested. “Or—me.” He cleared
his throat. “I have a nice guest room. Fresh sheets, new duvet. . .
.”

“I'm
surprised you even know the word duvet,” I giggled.

“Hey,
I'm cosmopolitan. I even have throw pillows.”

“Thank
you.” I touched his cheek tenderly, my fingers drifting to his
hair. “I'd like that.”

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Dr.
Tanya O'Toole has just started working at a new hospital. Having
changed her emphasis from Family Medicine, to Radiology, she's
working hard to make up for lost time. She meets Dr. Morgan Fellowes
when she faints in the doctor's lounge. She finds herself fascinated
with the energetic man and they start dating. When she meets his
family, she realizes that he's not the only one that's kinda wild and
crazy—in a totally fun way. She's having breakfast with his older
sister, Molly, her husband, Kenny and their son, Duke.

"They're
crazy, you know this right?" Kenny looked at Tanya, his tone and
expression flat. "Completely bonkers, the entire family."

Tanya
looked at Morgan and Molly, their eyes watering as they giggled. "I'm
beginning to figure that out. But it works for me." She winked
at Kenny who grinned back at her. "I just wish I understood, I'd
like a good laugh too."

Kenny
shook his head, leaning back in his chair. "Trust me, no you
wouldn't. I've heard this story. It's one of those where you had to
have been there for it to be funny at all. I didn't even crack a
glimmer of a grin when they told me."

Morgan
and Molly finally stopped laughing long enough to gather up the
plates and put them in the dishwasher. As they cleaned up, Kenny and
Tanya sat at the table sipping coffee and chatting.

"So,
what are the plans for the day?" Kenny asked her.

"I'm
working this afternoon," Tanya said. "But before I do that,
I'd better go to the grocery store. In fact, we both should. Morgan
hasn't a thing in his house to eat and I'm out of just about
everything."

"Oh,
what excitement," Molly said dryly. "And here I thought you
had something fun planned, like rock climbing or hang gliding."

"No,
that's next week," Morgan said, keeping his face completely
straight. "I thought we'd try joining the Mile High Club
tomorrow, that is if I can borrow the family jet."

Tanya
glanced around the room trying to figure out if Morgan was teasing.
No one smiled. They all looked as if his remark was completely
normal. Just as she was about to ask, Duke's ears went red and he
burst out laughing. It was an explosive sound and made her jump. He
giggled until tears came to his eyes.

"I'm
sorry," he told Morgan. "I just couldn't hold it any more.
Tanya, the look on your face was priceless! Good one, Uncle Morph."

"I
don't know what you're talking about, Duke. I'm completely serious."
He took a sip of his coffee and tipped casually back in his chair.

"But—I—Whatever!"
Making rude finger gestures at his uncle, he walked from the room
muttering to himself.

Morgan's
lip twitched and then a smile spread across his face. "No, I'm
kidding about the mile high thing, Tanya. But the family does have a
plane. It belongs to Uncle Scott."

"No,
Uncle Stan," Molly corrected.

"I'm
always mixing them up," Morgan told her. "I hope I know
them by sight and haven't had them mixed up in my head for the last
thirty years. I think they played a prank on me as a child and
pretended to be one another to confuse me."

"It
wouldn't surprise me," Molly told him. "They are a little
eccentric and have a very bizarre sense of humor."

"Which
is the one with gold teeth? Stan?"

"No."

"Oh.
Well then I don't know which is which. My entire life has been an
illusion. I'm going to require years of therapy to make me myself
again."

"I
can help with that," Tanya told him with a perfectly straight
face. "I am a professional. I even did a short stint on a
psychiatry ward. Would you say you suffer from delusions?"

"Constantly,"
Morgan said with a huge, dramatic sigh. "Or are they illusions?
What's the one when you see things?"

"Hallucinations.
. . or is it halitosis? I get those two mixed up."

Kenny
was looking from Morgan to Tanya and back again. "She's as loony
as he is. No wonder they get along so well. What a relief! I thought
we had a normal one in the family and I was going to worry about her
continued mental health!"

Friday, May 15, 2015

I
know that on the surface, this seems like rather a dull post. I mean,
who cares what songs I danced to or if I bothered to exercise?
Obviously, not the point of posting. As I said at the beginning of
this journey, I hope that by posting here, I will hold myself
accountable. It gives me motivation to continue. Also, I hope that
others will join me on this journey, find a little inspiration in my
struggle and maybe find some good music in the bargain.

The
dancing does more for me than just give me a little exercise during
the day. When I'm tired, feeling low, I can listen to a song, dance a
little (like no one's watching, cause that's the only way I can
dance) and it gives me a lift. Fit of the sleepies? Dance. Feeling
blue? Dance. There are certain songs that I can't be miserable when I
listen to them. I recommend them to everyone:

Uptown
Funk – Mark Roson and Bruno Mars

F**k
You – Cee Lo Gree (written with Bruno Mars)

Love
the One You're With – Crosby, Stills, Nash

Suite
Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills, Nash

Pick
Up the Pieces – Average White Band

Play
that Funky Music – Wild Cherry

There
are so many others, I can't name them all. This short list represents
my go to songs to fight the blues. They are funky, fun and get me
moving. My lists reflect my musical tastes as well. I don't stick to
any one genre, as you can see from the list. I listen to rock, blues,
Southern rock, funk, outlaw country, heavy metal. . . . Pretty much
anything but rap and twangy country. Just never developed a taste for
either genre.

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/27/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

5:55 Criminal
– Revivalists 11:27 AM

4:30 Mary
Don't You Weep – Theresa Anderson 6:44 PM

4:00 Tenderoni
– Chromeo 11:07

14:25

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/28/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

5:55 Criminal
– Revivaists 11:23 AM

3:30 Devil
in Me – Jamie Commons 2:33 PM

4:18 Pick
Up the Pieces – Average White Band 8:52

3:07 Jungle
– Jamie Commons 11:22

16:10

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/29/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:16 Jungle
– Jamie Commons 10:40 AM

4:31 Do
It Again – Steely Dan 5:01 PM

5:34 Wake
Up – Arcade Fire 6:03

4:13 Vampires
– Ballroom Thieves 6:29

3:43 Lido
Shuffle – Boz Scaggs 11:24

3:51 It's
All Over – Dan Skinner 12:22 AM

24:28

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/30/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

5:48 Love
of My Life – Carlos Santana 11:05 AM

5:55 Criminal
– Revivalists 12:11 PM

3:04 Love
Somebody – Revivalists 12:21

3:41 Another
One Bites the Dust – Queen 4:08

6:01 If
I Lose My Faith in You – Sting 5:04

3:38 Flower
– Cody Simpson 6:02

20:00
minutes stretch while watching Supernatural on Netflix 7:23

4:20 Sad
Songs – Elton John 11:10

3:13 How
You Like Me Now? The Heavy 12:03 AM

4:17 Pick
Up the Pieces - Average White Band 12:49

58:37

Again,
you will notice that I got into the next day with a couple of my
lists. This is because I'm still awake. My day starts around 10:00
a.m. (Sometimes a bit earlier or later, depending upon how late I
stayed up the night before.) Although it is technically, by the
clock, tomorrow, I count it that day.

Below
are the songs I danced to 5/1/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

4:08 Flower
– Cody Simpson 10:10 AM

5:18 Concrete
– Revivalists 1:22 PM

4:41 Closer
– Nine Inch Nails 4:00

3:57 Bubble
Toes – Jack Johnson 6:32

20:00 Stretched 7:22-7:42 I
am trying to do this when I watch Netflix or I won't move

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Dane
Berry has had a few rough days. He's been chased by rabid body
builders, accosted by a screaming fan, robbed and shot at. The one
bright spot in all this is Milla, but he won't consummate his
relationship with her while all this hangs over his head. He's
already put her in danger once, he doesn't want to be responsible for
her getting badly hurt. Now, he's having a conversation with the
managers of the hotel/ casino where he's staying. They are worried
about Dane, but more concerned about the impact these incidents might
have on their reputation. Dane's bodyguards are with him.

"I
have a question for you," Cam said from the table. He'd been
listening to all the discussion. "Who was the shooter?"

"The
shooter?" Mr. Phillips looked confused.

"Yeah,
the guy that took a shot at Dane. And why did your guys fail to stop
him?"

"I
don't know what you're talking about," Mr. Andretti looked
offended. "We hire good people. They know their shit. None of
them have less than three years of military or police training."

"Maybe
so, but I saw what I saw," Cam replied, standing up. "You
got a guy roughly my height, he's not as fat as he tried to look, we
figure that was padding." The other bodyguards nodded. "There
were half a dozen guards there and he barreled through like they were
nothing. The smallest guard there was Steve's size."

Steve
stood next to Cam. He was easily four inches taller and considerably
heavier.

"Now,
I didn't go to college, and I'm not up on my physics, so bear with
me. If I've got six guys his size and one guy my size,
and we don't like each other, who do you think is gonna fall down?"
He pointed from himself to Steve, spreading his hands toward Andretti
and Phillips.

The
owner and manager looked at one another uncomfortably.

"I
dunno about you, but I'm thinkin'—me."

"Did
they know the shooter?" Steve asked, folding his arms across his
chest. "And more to the point, Bill, can you trust your people?"

"Not
to mention," Jed added, coming up on Cam's other side. "Can
we trust them—or you?"

"Are
you threatening me?" Mr. Andretti looked highly offended.

"Should
we be? It's a few simple questions," Jed continued. "Seems
to me, we could find the answers if we asked nicely."

"Ain't
a matter of if I'm done," Jed said quietly. "It's a
matter of if Mr. Berry is done."

"I'm
done," Dane was furious. "Gentlemen, I keep my end of a
bargain. I won't bad mouth you, but don't expect my endorsement
either. Good day." He shut the door behind them with a distinct
bang.

"They
didn't hire the shooter, right?" Cam asked.

"No,
that came from Allie, if that's truly who is behind this," Dane
replied.

"Oh,
I think so. That part makes sense. Then why cover up who the shooter
was?" Steve added.

"Talk
about embarrassing. That had to have been their guy. Not only that,
their men know who he is and they didn't stop him, which makes you
wonder how many of Andretti's people are really on his ex-wife's
payroll," Jed mused.

Friday, May 08, 2015

I am still trying to catch up from when I was gone for about a week in March. I'm gaining on it! I haven't done as well as I should, but some days aren't too bad. The important thing is to get up, even when I don't really feel like it, and make myself move. I have noticed that I've dropped 1/4 to 1/2 inch from several measurements. YAY! I haven't lost weight lately, but I am delighted with the measurement reduction.

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/20/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:01 Jungle
– Jamie Commons 10:30 AM

3:13 How
You Like Me Now – The Heavy 3:31 PM

4:07 I
Don't Care – Patrick Stump 9:24

10:21

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/21/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

5:54 Criminal
– Revivalists 11:21 AM

4:14 Vampires
– Ballroom Thieves 1:02 PM

3:51 It's
All Over – Dan Skinner 3:03

3:14 Mating
Game – Bittersweet 4:55

5:41 Pride
– Syntax 9:16

4:07 Uptown
Funk – Bruno Mars 12:36 AM

26:21

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/22/15:

I
have a note here that I skipped this day. Not entirely sure why, but
there you have it.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

From
The Great Mandrake (not published) Drake Mandrake is working his way
through college as a comedic magician. A youthful mistake made him a
father early on and now, at 21, he's coping with being a single dad
as well as taking care of his 7 year old nephew, Davy. Davy is a
special needs child who's been diagnosed with Asperger's. Drake is
studying special ed so that he can work with children like Davy. As a
treat, Davy has been fishing with Drake's cousins and Shelby, his
daughter, has spent the day with Aunt Connie. They are now at Uncle
Billy's for dinner.

Davy
ran at Drake, greeting him so enthusiastically, he nearly knocked him
over. Connie took Shelby so that Drake could swing Davy onto his
shoulder.

"I
caught all kinds of fish, Uncle Drake! And I caught a stingray! It
almost stung Uncle Billy when he unhooked it!"

"Really?
Wow!"

"It
was nearly six feet long! It was pissed to get caught."

"Okay,
who taught my boy a new word?" Drake asked the room at large.

His
cousin, Burwell held up his hand, grinning sheepishly. "He
wasn't supposed to tell you."

"Did
you tell him not to use it in a sentence?"

"No."
He looked puzzled. "I didn't think of that."

"Now
ya know. Davy, you don't say pissed. It's not a very nice
word."

"Okay,
Uncle Drake." He squirmed to get down.

Burwell
caught him as he lunged off his uncle's shoulder. He set Davy on the
floor, ruffling his hair.

"He's
something else. He kept all of us hopping."

Billy's
sons were all built on the same line as their father. In other words,
upwards of seven feet tall and roughly the size of Montana. There
were six of them altogether. Drake couldn't imagine Davy running them
all ragged. He supervised him fine all on his own.

"It
took all y'all to keep tabs on one kid? That's pretty damn funny. I
keep track of him and Shelby, no problem."

"Braggart."

"Pussy."

"Pzy,
pzy," Shelby yelled loudly and with gusto. "Sit, sit! Pzy!"

Drake
shook his head, trying hard not to laugh. "Oh, God. My
daughter's gonna have the vocabulary of a redneck trucker by the time
she starts school."

Burwell
laughed at him. "For once it ain't my fault."

"I'll
remember this when you have kids. I'm gonna teach them naughty words
and laugh at your pain."

"You
got a mean streak, Drake."

"I've
got to, considering how much bigger you guys are. Teague's the only
one shorter and he can still whoop me easy."

"He
could whoop all of us. Even if we jumped him all at once. You should
have seen him! It scared the ever loving sh. . . . poop outta me."

"Sh,
sh!" Shelby said.

"That's
right, honey," Drake coached. "Sh, sh—Shelby."

"Bi!
Bi!"

"I
guess we should have named her something easier," Drake said
with a shrug. "She can't seem to get Shelby, no matter what I
do."

"Grow
up with a name like Burwell. Took me forever to get it right. And
spell it? Shoot. I was still getting help when I was in second
grade."

"You
were dropped as a child, Burwell. That confirms it."

"If
you weren't holding that baby, I'd show you just who's gettin'
dropped on the head." He punched Drake's arm.

"Boys,
behave!" Burwell's mother, Betty Jean, fussed.

"Yes,
ma'am!" They chorused.

Dinner
with Drake's family was always crazy. He'd forgotten just how much
fun they were to be around. Once they finished dinner, Billy's
children, who had a bluegrass band, got up on the stage and played
for awhile.

Afterwards
Drake was persuaded to perform a few simple magic tricks. Without his
cases, he was limited, but they liked the card tricks and slights of
hand that he performed.

"Now
I know why I can't win at poker when you play," Junior grumbled.
"Damn. You're probably dealing doubles and stacking the deck."

"No,
Junior, you just suck," Drake replied.

"SUCK!"
Shelby yelled amidst much laughter.

"It's
official," Burwell said, hopping up on stage with Drake. He
raised his cousin's arm in the air. "Daddy's mouth has
officially been rated 'G'."

"Can't
say her own name, but can curse." Drake stepped off the stage.
"What am I gonna do with you, Miss Shelby?"

"She-be!"
She yelled, kissing him resoundingly.

"You
hear that? That's the first time she's ever said her name! Yeah,
Shelby!"

Friday, May 01, 2015

Those
of you who have been following this posting, know that I've been
silent on this front for some time. I'm still keeping up with my
dancing (mostly), but had a rough couple of weeks in March with a
death in the family. My attention has been divided by various
projects, also the difficulty breathing that accompanies asthmatic
bronchitis, sometimes makes it hard to get up and dance. But I at
least try to get up and move. I've noticed that my body wants the
exercise and I miss it if I don't get up every hour or so.

I
am combining weeks here, trying to get caught up. I'm beginning with
Week 5 and going on from there.

Week
5—3/16/15 – 3/23/15

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/16/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

4:38 Uptown
Funk – Bruno Mars 10:32 AM

9:42 Jimi
Thing – Dave Matthews Band 11:23

3:57 Come
With Me Now – Knogos 12:52

3:31 Devil
in Me – Jamie Commons 1:49 PM

3:27 Batuka
– Carlos Santana 3:44

4:17 Big
Chair – Reach Around 4:55

2:34 The
Mighty I – Noel Gallagher 10:56

30:46

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/17/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:17 Jungle
– Jamie N Commons 1:09 PM

6:38 Heirate
Mich – Rammstein 3:47

3:09 Feuer
Frei – Rammstein 4;44

5:16 Electric
Worry – Clutch 7:26

5:24 Green
Onions – Booker T 8:31

6:54 Send
Me – Dirty Heads 9:44

3:16 Crazy
– CeeLo Green 9:57

33:14

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/18/15:

This
is one of the days I had bad vertigo, so I didn't get much dancing
done. Considering I could barely stand without getting dizzy, I think
I did okay.

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:55 Waiting
for You – Chromeo 6:02 PM

3:17 Jungle
– Jamie N Commons 9:59

6:34

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/19/15:

Another
dizzy day.

Duration Song
& Artist Time

4:34 You
Did – Chuck Prophet 12:25 PM

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/20/15:

And
another vertigo day. It really sucks, lemme tell ya!

Duration Song
& Artist Time

2:34 Sleep
– Allen Stone 11:01 PM

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/21/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:59 I
Try – Macy Gray 11:14 AM

4:49 Rain
Dance Maggie – Red Hot Chili Peppers 12:47 PM

4:09 Superstitious
– Stevie Wonder 3:31

3:40 You
Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer 8:13

3:52 Weapon
of Choice – Fat Boy Slim 9:45

3:38 Body
Rock – Moby 9:49

22:47

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/22/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:34 Haven't
Done Nothing – Stevie Wonder 8:42 PM

5:43 Flake
– Jack Johnson & Lukas Nelson 9:45

4:04 Ooh
La La – Josh Turner 10:30

3:16 Jungle
– Jamie N Commons 12:03 AM

16:34

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/23/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:49
Follow Me – Uncle Kracker 1:12 PM

3:35 She
Hates Me – Puddle of Mud 1:17

5:04 Sing
Sing Sing with a Swing – Benny Goodman 2:13

3:39 Dance
in the Graveyard – Delta Rae 9:31

3:57 Freedom
– Anthony Hamilton 10:42

19:24

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/24/15:

I'm
not sure what was wrong this day. I must have been busy with
something, but I can't for the life of me remember what. I simply
have “Nothing” written on my notes.

Below
are the songs I danced to 3/25/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

4:46 Luz
Amor y Vida – Carlos Santana 10:42

Not
too bad, considering everything that was going on. I guess I should
be proud of myself for getting anything done at all. I missed an
entire week by being out of town for a week or so, then had company
for Easter. I did get a little bit done that week. I have to work on
my consistency.

I
did my measurements and weight today for the first time in ages. I
find taking my weight very depressing, but I have to keep in mind
that this is a process. I didn't like the weight, as I'd gained
(though that may be muscle vs. fat – let's hope!) However, I did
lose about half an inch on several measurements and that pleased me.
Right now, I'm more interested in inches than weight, so if I can
keep that trend going, I will be very happy!

4/4/15
– 4/5/15 – then I will get back to my weekly lists as of 4/6/15

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/4/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

7:00 Jimi
Thing – Dave Matthews Band 11:00 PM

Below
are the songs I danced to 4/5/15:

Duration Song
& Artist Time

3:11 Lay
'Em Down – Needtobreathe 11:13 PM

This
was our first week back after our trip to Mississippi and I had
company.